The European Commission introduces 25% tariffs on the import of US products worth €2.8 billion

The European Commission introduces 25% tariffs on the import of US products worth €2.8 billion

21Jun201812:10

The European Commission (EC) approved a document on Wednesday that suggests retaliatory tariffs as EC response to the US decision to introduce respective tariffs of 25% and 10% on aluminum and steel imports from the EU on June 1.

As the EC statement says, the EU countries begin implementing 25% tariffs on €2.8 billion ($3.2 billion) worth of goods imported from the U.S. on June 22.

"We did not want to be in this position," said EU trade official Cecilia Malmström. "The unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice”, she added, “Our response is measured, proportionate and fully in line with WTO rules. Needless to say, if the US removes its tariffs, our measures will also be removed. "

The representatives of EU member-countries agreed on the list of the affected goods at the meeting in Brussels on June 14.

Among the products, affected by the new import duties, are Harley Davidson motorbikes, Levi Strauss jeans and bourbon.

The total list includes roughly a few dozen items such as steel and aluminum products, agricultural products (corn, rice, cranberries), food products (orange juice, peanut butter and tobacco products), cosmetics, clothing, boats, yachts and so on.

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